Analysis of ground level enhancement on January 6, 2014

Abstract

Variations in the rigidity spectrum and anisotropy of cosmic rays during ground level enhancement (GLE) on January 6, 2014, is investigated using ground-based observations of cosmic rays (CRs) from the worldwide network of stations and spacecraft measurements obtained via a spectrographic global survey. The CR rigidity spectrum and relative variations in the intensity of CRs with rigidity of 4 GV are presented in the solar–ecliptic geocentric coordinate system in certain periods of the investigated event. It is shown that protons were accelerated during this GLE up to a particle rigidity of R ~ 2.4 GV. In the ~0.3 to ~2.4 GV range of rigidity, the CR differential rigidity spectra during the considered event were described by neither a power function nor an exponential function of particle rigidity. At the time of GLE, the Earth was in a loop-like IMF structure.